Device for improving position and posture during weight-lifting exercise in sports

ABSTRACT

A workout weight carrying bars, such a dumbbell or a barbell, that has an inclination sensor and display, to provide the inclination of the weight carrying device, which enables a user to monitor the position and balance and the workout device, in order to correct position, posture and balance, which yields better results from the workout, enhanced safety, and avoiding muscle and joint injuries caused by wrong movements and postures.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device that ameliorates weight training in sports, and more specifically the invention relates to a weight carrying bar such as dumbbell or a barbell that provides inclination feedback information such that a person exercising with weights using said device is enabled to put the body in an optimal posture and optimally execute movements so as to avoid exercise injuries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In weight lifting sports, injuries can occur during exercise or over a long period of time when muscles, tendons and/or ligaments are put under stress, whether because of a high load or due to repetition of incorrect movement. The latter may occur when misalignment causes muscle to move in less optimal path. For example, misalignment of posture may result in one group of muscle becoming stronger than other groups of muscle, thus, leading to posture imbalance and further complications. In other instances, misalignment of muscles during repetition may cause tendons/ligaments to rub against bone tissue, which can lead to inflammation.

Injuries are typically accompanied by inflammation and/or pain, which lead to disruptions of the exercise schedule, thus resulting in less optimal workout routines. To avoid injuries when exercising in weight lifting, one of the most important skills people have to learn is to carry the weight in a balanced manner, and to be constantly aware of the position of their body.

Having another person to assist during the exercise sessions to monitor and provide feedback is one way a person can receive feedback during training with free weights. People also workout in front of a mirror so that they are able to visually monitor their position. However, the overall body position as assessed visually is imprecise. Therefore, there is a need for a device that is able to provide feedback about the balance of the weights during free weight lifting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a device (e.g., dumbbell or barbell) that consists of the inlay of an inclination sensor and display. The inclination sensor and display is prominently located to maximize visibility and reduce parallax effect, in order to provide a clear vision of the balance of the bar.

The inclination sensor may be a transparent capsule that is generally shaped as a cylinder, and partially filled with a liquid. A bubble in the center of the sensor allows to detect deviations in the balance of the bar during the workout. As a result, the user can constantly independently identify an incorrect position/posture or movement and adequately correct the position or the path of a movement.

The benefits of constantly monitoring and correcting position are numerous. The latter includes: avoiding uneven application of force in each arm, such as when having more strength in one arm than the other or due to fatigue caused by exercising; avoiding bad posture of the back, shoulders, legs, elbows, etc.; swinging of the bar and avoiding any other injury that may result from keeping an incorrect position of the weight and/or and imbalanced posture.

An embodiment of the invention allows the user to workout with the bars in a correct position (bars in horizontal position to the ground). The latter results in making the correct movements and keeping a correct posture, which yields better results from the workout.

A device according to the invention provides an enhanced safety by avoiding muscle and joint injuries caused by misaligned movements and bad postures. Furthermore, constantly using a device embodying the invention promote good habits and avoids learning bad posture habits that result in long-term injuries.

Devices that implement the invention are cost-saving, since they enable users to monitor their own training, thus avoiding to pay for a spotter or gymnasiums' membership costs altogether.

Devices embodying the invention provide the convenience that allows the user achieve a workout experience at home.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically represents a device embodying the invention and the context of its use by a person.

FIG. 2 illustrates a device for sensing and indicating inclination in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bar implementing the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a pair of dumbbells that embody the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a barbell that embodies the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a device that ameliorates weight training in sports, more specifically the invention relates a weight carrying bar such as dumbbell or a barbell that provides inclination feedback information such that a person exercising with weights using said device can adequately correct body movement and/or posture.

In the following description, specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough description of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the pertinent art, that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

A device embodying the invention comprises a load carrying bar that is generally consisting of a bar having a specific weight used typically for exercise or muscle-building. In addition to its own load, the bar is typically designed to have at least one holding portion (e.g., for holding by the user's hand or both hands), and at least one portion for holding extra weights. Each extra weight may have a whole in the middle of it through which the bar may be inserted. The extra weight may be held in place by extra retaining elements. A device according to the invention may be relatively short, e.g., a dumbbell, which is relatively short and designed to be carried by a single hand of a person. Dumbbells are typically used in pairs. The device may be an elongated bar, e.g., a barbell, which is designed to be handled by both hands of a person. In the following disclosure, a device implementing the invention may be interchangeably referred as a dumbbell, barbell or simply a bar. The bar may have a cylindrical shape, with an elongated axis and circular profile (cross section). The circular shape of the profile is preferred. However, the profile may be squared, elliptical, rectangular or any other shape or combination thereof, so long as the bar provides one or more segment for the hands of a person to use the bar, and one or more segments for carrying the weights. Moreover, a bar that is straight, curved or having any other shape is considered as part of the implementation of the invention so long as it provides a inclination sensor.

An important feature of a device that embodies the invention is that the bar comprises an inclination sensor and display for indicating the inclination of the bar. The bar thus provides inclination information of the bar to a person performing weight-lifting exercise.

FIG. 1 schematically represents a device embodying the invention and the context of its use by a person. Barbell 110 is configured to carry weights at its extremities, and it comprises an inclination sensor and indicator 130. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, when a person 120 carries barbell 110, the inclination sensor and indicator 130 provides an indication of how horizontal the barbell is compared to the ground. The person with a quick glance to device 130 is able to learn whether the bar is being held is in a correct position and correct the position (or movement) toward a desired position (or trajectory).

Prior art technologies for detecting inclination are numerous. Detecting inclination may be performed without electricity, such as by monitoring the flow of a liquid or the rolling of a ball within a transparent tube and/or by using a powered a sensor, such as electromagnetic sensors. The monitoring of inclination may be conducted using direct (e.g., visual) monitoring, and/or using an electrically powered display, such as a sound system. The implementation of any available prior technology for detecting inclination and providing inclination feedback in a weight-lifting exercise bar is therefore considered as part of the implementation of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a device for sensing and indicating inclination in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Although the invention may be implemented using complex sensors and displays, the device represented in FIG. 2 is selected for its simplicity. Device 130, in the example embodiment of FIG. 2 comprises a transparent capsule 250 that is generally shaped as an elongated cylinder, and has a longitudinal axis.

The capsule may contain a ball that freely moves within the capsule under the effect of gravity. The ball may have a color that is easily distinguishable from the a background color of the capsule so that the user can easily perceive the placement of the ball within the capsule and, thus, the inclination of the bar.

The capsule may be partially filled with a liquid (e.g., distilled water, oil or any other free flowing liquid). Capsule 250, being partially filled with the liquid may contain a gas bubble 220. The gas may air or any other gas (e.g., carbon dioxide, nitrogen gas etc.). The capsule may alternatively be filled with the liquid and contain a freely moving ball. The specific density of the material from which the ball is made may be different, thus, resulting in the movement of the ball, in relation to the liquid, under the effect of gravity.

Moreover, the capsule may be filled with two liquids having each a specific density and a color that are different from one another.

When the elongated axis is parallel to the ground the bubble 220 rests in the middle along the elongated axis. When the elongated axis is tilted, the liquid with the higher specific density within the capsule flows toward the bottom of the capsule, and the bubble (lower density gas, liquid or solid) toward the top. Thus the location of the bubble (of gas, liquid or solid) indicates the side that is held higher in comparison to the opposite side along the elongated axis.

Capsule 250 of FIG. 2 may comprise one or more markings (e.g., 230 and 240) to facilitate the reading of the position of the bubble 220. Readability of the position of bubble 220 may also be enhanced by applying a patterned and/or colored background (not shown).

Several liquid densities have been tested. In an embodiment of the invention, a liquid density was selected to ensure a precise and stable movement of the bubble is solvent naphtha. This allows the sensor to perform while moving the bar fluidly.

The inlay of the sensor in the bar does not compromise its safety. Embodiments of the invention are designed, and tested, to ensure that the bar won't collapse when carrying high loads.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bar implementing the invention. Bar 110 has a groove drilled therein to allow an inclination sensor and display 130 to be encrusted, i.e. embedded, within the bar. The inclination sensor and display is inlaid i.e. the embedding carried out in such a way that the surface of the bar and that of the inclination sensor and display form a continuum and is smooth to the touch. Device 130 is generally ergonomically placed so as to maximize visibility and reduce parallax effect. The latter may be achieved by placing device 130 in the middle of a bar (e.g., of a barbell), and away from the locations where the bar is held by the hand or where it comes in contact with a support structure that holds the bar when not being used.

Embodiments of the invention may attach an inclination and display sensor 130 directly onto the surface of bar 110. Accordingly, such an inclination and display sensor is designed in a manner that does not affect the interaction between the user and the bar in terms of the gripping or any other physical contact, for example, the inclination and display sensor has smooth edges that seamlessly blend with the surface of the bar.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a pair of dumbbells that embody the invention. Dumbbells 410 a and 410 b are bars that have segments configured for carrying weight (e.g., 430 a and 430 b), a segment for hand holding (e.g., 420) and stops (e.g., 440 a and 440 b) for securing the weights in place and preventing a slide of the weight toward the holding segment. The holding segment may be adequate for placing at the least the display portion of an inclination sensor and display device (e.g., 130).

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a barbell that embodies the invention. Similar to a dumbbell (as described above), a barbell embodying the invention is configure with weight holding segments, stops, an inclination sensor and display device and two or more hand holding segments.

Thus a weight carrying bar such as dumbbell or a barbell that provides inclination feedback information such that a person exercising with weights using said device can adequately correct body movement and/or posture. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device of providing inclination feedback to a user performing weight-lifting exercise, said device comprising: an inclination sensor and display device; and a solid bar having at least one portion for holding weights, at least one portion for allowing gripping by a user and at least one groove for receiving said inclination sensor and display device.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said inclination sensor and display device further comprises a transparent capsule partially filled with a liquid.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein said inclination sensor and display device further comprises a transparent capsule containing a gas bubble.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein said inclination sensor and display device further comprises a colored background for enhancing the visibility of said bubble within said inclination sensor and display device.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein said capsule has a cylindrical shape.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said capsule is inlaid within said bar.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said bar is a dumbbell that has two weight holding portions and a single gripping portion.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said bar is a barbell that has two weight holding portions and two gripping portions.
 9. A device of providing inclination feedback to a user performing weight-lifting exercise, said device comprising: an inclination sensor and display device; and a solid bar having at least one portion for holding weights, at least one portion for allowing gripping by a user, wherein said inclination sensor and display device is affixed to a surface portion of said solid bar.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said inclination sensor and display device further comprises a transparent capsule partially filled with a liquid.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein said inclination sensor and display device further comprises an electronic device for sensing inclination and providing inclination status information.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein said electronic device for sensing inclination and providing inclination status information further comprises a sound system.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein said electronic device for sensing inclination and providing inclination status information further comprises a visual display. 